What is Community?

One house on the Blackthorn Estate in Northampton was buzzing with the activity of more than 20 young people over the weekend. In the Jesus Fellowship we hosted a community weekend with the aim of having 1000 visitors staying in our community houses around the UK.

HoM (House of Miracles), one of the smaller houses in the Church, normally has 11 people staying. This weekend saw 24.





The weekend kicked off with a great meal cooked by Leyla, one of the domestic sisters living at HoM. With 24 gathered in the lounge and dinning room expectations of a great weekend were built.  The night's entertainment was when 15 lads marched through the estate to the local woods to play hide and seek (man-hunt). Did I mention that most of the lads where legally adults, and still playing hide and seek? After deciding it was in fact a little cold and dark we returned home for hot chocolate and cake.
Some would say Saturday morning was an epic fail! It was meant to be a work morning but after the fun and games of the night before most of us failed to climb out of bed before 11am. After some more fun and games nearly ended in someone getting a sore head, we headed of to Burton Dassett Country Park for a bite to eat and more fun and games. The (now proven to be) slightly immature lads proceeded to use one of the small valleys to play British bulldog. We certainly managed to attract some funny looks from the locals.


We then gathered back at HoM for a time of worship and exploring God in more depth. During this time some of the new lads responded to some of the words of knowledge brought by some of the permanent residents.


So what is Christian community all about, apart from allowing fully grown men to act like big kids? Here's a few quotes:


"Christian community is the closest expression to new testament Christianity around today." Neil, a Jesus Fellowship leader

"Christian community is living out the New Testament in the 21st Century" Nathan, living in Christian community

"Christian community is living and loving together in a Christian family" Michael, a Jesus Fellowship elder

"Being in a position to serve and love the local community as Jesus said" Richard King churchwithacamera

"Christian community is love with a mixture of food" Chris Gilbert, a fat Jesus Fellowship leader

"Loving Jesus Loving Each other" Richard King churchwithacamera